Railway-switch or the like.



G. O. ANDERSON.

RAILWAY SWITCH OR THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. s, 1911.

1,086,500. Patented Feb. 10, 1914.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

3&5, e .152 0672737 COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH co.. WASHINGTON, D. c.

G. 0. ANDERSON.

RAILWAY SWITCH OR THE LIKE.

APPLIOATION FILED FEB. s, 1911.

a a 5! g Patented Feb. 10, 1914.

a SHEETS-SHEET 2.

G. O. ANDERSON.

RAILWAY SWITCH OR THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 6, 1911.

Patented Feb. 10, 1914.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

zwzd JM lTED STATES PATENT DFFICE.

CHARLES O. ANDERSON, OF OMAHA, NEBRASKA, ASSIGNOR OF SEVEN-TENTI-IS TOA. T. AUSTIN, OF OMAHA, NEBRASKA.

RAILWAY-SWITCH OR THE LIKE.

Specification of'Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 16 1914.

Original application filed March 29, 1909, Serial No. 486,375. Dividedand this application filed February To all whom itmay concern Be itknown that 1, CHARLES O. ANDER- son, a citizen of the United. States,residing at Omaha, in the county of Douglas and State of Nebraska, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Railway- Switches or thelike, of which the following is a description.

.lt'ly invention belongs to that class of devices known as railwayswitches or the like, and refers particularly to that class of switchesadapted to be operated or controlled from a particular or centralcontrolling or operating point. It may be proximate to or at somedistance from the switch to be operated. The construction shown is asclfadjusting electrically operated switch, only so much of the samebeing shown as pertains to the invention herein described and claimed.For further understanding of the complete switch mechanism reference maybe had to my pending application, filed March 29, 1909, Serial No.lees-i5, of which this is a divisional application. l i hile the motivepower and control therein is electrical the present inven tion isclearly applicable for other sources of power, the electrical power andcontrol being shown only for purposes of illustration and to give acomplete understanding of the invention.

My invention has among its objects the product-ion of a simple,efficient, safe, satisfactory and durable switch of the kind describedfor use wherever it may be found applicable.

To this end my invention consists in the novel construction, arrangementand combination of parts herein shown and described, and moreparticularly pointed out in the claims.

in the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like 01'corresponding parts: Figure 1 is a plan view of a switch and operatingmechanism, a part of the operating mechanism inclosed. Fig. 2 is a sideelevation of the auxiliary locking mechanism taken substantially on line2, 2 of Fig, Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially online 3, 3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a sectional View of a resilient lookingmechanism, taken substantially on line Serial No. 606,822.

1, 4 of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken. substantially on line5, 5 of Fig. 3.

Referring to the drawings, the usual form of railway switch is showncomprising the stock rails 1, 3, 1 and 8-, and the movable switch points2 and at, with my invention applied thereto. It may be assumed forconvenience in describing the device, that when the switch points 2 andat are in the positions shown, they are in normal position, and whenthrown to the opposite side they are in reverse position. Suitable ties7, 7, etc., of the usual or any preferred con struction or material maybe provided and the rails and switch points may be supported thereon inany suitable way. The switch points, where the switch is provided withtwo points, are secured together by means of suitable connecting orspreader bars 9 and 10 or their equivalents. For street railway switchesor derails, etc, there may be but one movable part if desired, it beingunderstood that the switch parts or points shown, the ties, etc, may beof such design or construction as may be preferred.

Secured to the bar 9, as shown to the extension 11 by nuts 15, is athrow rod 12, which is operatively connected with mechanisms foractuating the same. In the con struction shown an electric motor isprovided for actuating the throw rod, the operation of the same beingfully described in my application mentioned. It may be mentioned,however, that the motor is of a type that may be driven in one directionor the other, the controlling mechanism including rods 17 and 16connected to one of the stock rails and to the switch points.

The rod 12 is connected to a rod 2 1, which extends within the casing,the two being connected by means of a pin 25 or the equivalent,preferably so that the same are pivotally secured together and form thethrow rod. The rod 24; is suitably supported within the casing 13, thesame being threaded as most clearly shown in Fig. 3. Mounted upon therod 24 is an internally threaded or rotatable nut- 26, the same beingshown in the form of a gear, which meshes with a pinion 35, as hereafterdescribed.

The ear 26 is free to rotate noon the rod 24, but is prevented frommoving longitudinally by the extension 27 in the casing 13 and theshoulder shown, so that rotating or driving the gear in one direction orthe other longitudinally moves the rod in one direction or the other,thereby shifting or moving the switch points of the switch. If desiredball bearings 29 or their equivalents for the purpose may be arranged toderease the friction and prevent the gear from binding. The nut 26 isdriven from the motor shaft by a pinion 35, which is preferablyyieldingly driven by the shaft 34;. Any equivalent means may be employedfor transmitting the power from the shaft 34 to the nut 26, but theconstruction shown is very convenient and satisfactory where the throwrod and shaft 34: are comparatively close to each other. As an examplethe teeth of the nut might be made in the form of sprocket chain teeth,and the sprocket wheel substituted for the pinion 35, in which case thenut would be driven from the shaft 34L through a sprocket chain. Thegear or pinion 35 is preferably yieldingly secured to the shaft 3% bymeans of a cone clutch part 36 cooperating therewith, which cone isslidably mounted upon the shaft and normally maintained in drivingcontact with the pinion by the spring 37, washer 3S and nut 38. Anyother means may be employed for yieldingly securing the pinion or itsequivalent on the shaft 34. By employing the clutch all shock is takenofi of the motor when the switch points reach the limit of their travel,or in the starting of the device, as a slight slip is permitted at thesetimes. Also in case the switch points become clog ed or accidentallyblocked for any reason, the pinion 35 will slip on its shaft so that themechanisms will not be injured. If desired the gear 26 may be providedwith a bevel gear 32, arranged to engage the bevel gear 31, so that theswitch may be thrown by hand by means of a suitable wrench (not shown)engaging the squared end 33 or its equivalent.

It should be particularly noted that this construction comprising thethreaded rod and rotatable gear or nut mounted upon the same, preventsrebounding of the switch points, inasmuch as the arrangement in itselfforms a lock. An auxiliary locking means may be employed, however, ifdesired, a very satisfactory arrangement being fully describedhereafter. The movement of the rod 24L may be limited by means of a pin39 or equivalent means, so that when the pin 39 engages the casing, thethrow rod will be locked against further movement outward, in which casethe pinion 35 will slip on its shaft 3 1. This construction isparticularly advantageous where the outside stock rail spreads beyond asafe point, and is particularly convenient for my switch mechanism shownin my pending application mentioned, where the controlling mechanismtakes into consideration the position of the stock rails. The casing 13and its top surrounding the mechanism, protect it from the weather,keeping out both moisture and dirt. If desired a suitable amount of oil,preferably a non-freezing oil, may be placed in the casing, submergingthe parts, in which case suitable packing 40 may be provided forpreventing the leakage of the oil from the casing.

As before mentioned, the throw rod and gear 26 practically form a lockfor the movable switch points 2 and i, but if desired suitable auxiliarymechanism, as before mentioned, may be employed to lock the same.Referring particularly to Figs. 2, a and 5, tl is a locking memberprovided wit-l1 an extension 42 adapted to cooperate with notches 43(see Figs. 2 and l) on the face of the gear, and lock the same inposition. In an electrically controlled and operated switch, the lockingmember 41 may be controlled by a suitable coil as or the equivalent forthe purpose, arranged in one of the operating circuits, or independentlycontrolled. The member 41 is pivotally secured at 45, and is providedwith an arm 46 hav ing a weight l7, the weight arm tending to normallymaintain the arm in the position shown in Fig. 2. Any equivalent for theweight l? may be provided. then the power is turned on to operate theactuating mechanism for the motor, the coil a l draws the arm 41 awayfrom the gear 26, thereby releasing the same, the lock being held out ofoperative position as long as the coil a4 is energized. If desired thegear may be recessed between the notches as at l8 (see Figs. 2 and 4) sothat the rotation of the gear when once unlocked will tend to normallythrow or kick the lock out of operative position. In place ofelectrically controlling the locking member 41, the same may becontrolled by a detector bar arranged along one of the railssubstantially as shown in the pending application mentioned, so that thelocking mechanism is mechanically instead of electrically controlled.Referring to Fig. 5, 20 is the rod extending from a detector bar, whichmight be connected with the lock 4:1, or its equivalent.

The operation of the device may be briefly described as follows:Assuming that the switch points are as shown in Fig. 1, and itis desiredto throw them to the reverse position, in this case the motor 1% orother actuating mechanism is operated so as to rotate or drive the shaft34, which through the pinion 35 rotates the nut or gear 26. The nut orgear 26 being prevented from moving longitudinally, causes the throw rod24, to be moved longitudinally, throwing the switch points to thereverse position. When the switch points reach the stock rails the poweris shut off by the controlling mechanism, any shock or ar being avoidedowing to the yielding connection between the motor shaft and the pinion35. To return the switch points the shaft 84rmay be rotated in theopposite direction, thereby rotating the pinio-ns and 36, re turning theswitch points to the normal. position.

Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that variousimmaterial modifications may be made in the same without departing fromthe spirit of my invention. Hence I do not wish to be understood aslimiting myself to the exact construction, arrangement or combination ofparts here in shown and described.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In aswitch mechanism, actuating means for the switch points comprising athreaded member connected with the switch points and nut rotatablypositioned on said threaded member, said nut provided with gear teeth onthe circumferential edge thereof, and with a thread on the interiorthereof corresponding with and in engagement with the thread on saidmember, means for rotating said nut and means op erable in conjunctiontherewith for nor mally locking the nut against rotation in eitherdirection.

2. In a switch mechanism, actuating means for the switch pointscomprising a threaded member connected with the switch points, arotatable nut mounted upon said threaded member, said nut provided withgear teeth on the circumferential edge thereof, and with a thread on theinterior thereof corresponding with and in engagement with the thread onsaid member, means for preventing longitudinal movementof said nut,means for rotating said nut and means operable in conjunction therewithfor normally locking the nut against rotation in either direction.

3. In a switch mechanism, actuating means for the switch pointscomprising a threaded rod connected with the switch points, a rotatablenut mounted upon said threaded member, and means for yieldingly rotatingsaid nut.

4. In a switch mechanism, actuating means for the switch points,comprising a threaded member connected with the switch points, a nutrotatably positioned on said threaded member, said nut provided withgear teeth on the circumferential edge there of, and with a thread onthe interior thereof corresponding with and in engagement with thethread. on said member, means for pre-- venting longitudinal movement ofsaid nut, a driving shaft, means for operatively connecting said shaftand nut and means operable in conjunction with the driving mechanism fornormally preventing the rotation of the nut in either direction.

5. In a switch mechanism, actuating means for the switch pointscomprising a threaded rod connected with the switch points, a rotatablenut positioned on said threaded rod, a driving shaft, means foroperatively connectin said shaft and nut, and means for locking said nutagainst rotation.

6. The combination with a railway switch. of actuating means for themovable switch parts comprising a threaded rod connected with saidmovable parts, a nut operatively engaged with said rod so as to move therod longitudinally by rotation thereon, a motor and connecting meansincluding a clutch between the motor and the nut.

7. In a railway switch of the kind de scribed and in combination, amovable part provided with a throw rod therefor, means for operatingsaid throw red as desired, comprising a nut rotatably mounted there on,driving mechanism for said nut arranged to drive the same in eitherdirection, electrically controlled means for positively engaging andlocking said nut, and controlling means for said driving mechanism,including mechanism connected with said movable part.

8. In a railway switch mechanism, actuating means for the switch pointscomprising a threaded member connected with the switch points, a nutrotatably positioned on said threaded member and arranged so thatlongitudinal movement of the rod is permitted solely by rotation of thenut, a motor, and yieldable operating connections between the motor andthe nut.

9. In a device of the kind described and in combination, a movableswitch part, a controlling rod therefor operatively connected therewith,and means for moving said rod in a direction longitudinally thereof andlocking the same in position, said means including a gear positionedthereon and arranged to move said rod by the rotation of the gear anddriving means for said gear member.

10. In a device of the kind described and in combination, a movableswitch part, a controlling rod therefor operativelyconnected therewith,and means for moving said rod in a direction longitudinally thereof andlocking the same in position, said means including a gear rotatablethereon and arranged to move said rod by the rotation of the gear anddriving means therefor arranged to drive said gear in either direction.

11. In a device of the kind described and in combination, a movableswitch part, a controlling rod therefor operatively connected therewith,and means for moving said rod in a direction longitudinally thereof andlocking the same in position, said means including a member rotatablypositioned thereon and arranged to longitudinally move said rod by therotation thereof, driving mechanism for said member and means forlocking said member and preventing the rotation thereof.

12. In a device of the kind described and in combination, a movableswitch part, a controlling rod therefor operatively connected therewith,and means for moving said rod in a direction longitudinally thereof andlocking the same in position, said means including a gear rotatablypositioned thereon and arranged to move said rod by the rotationthereof, and driving mechanism for said gear comprising a driving shaftprovided with a pinion yieldingly connected therewith and in mesh withsaid gear.

18. In a railway switch of the kind described and in combination, amovable part provided with a throw rod therefor. means for operatingsaid throw rod as desired, comprising a nut rotatably mounted thereon,driving mechanism for said nut arranged to drive the same in eitherdirection, electrically controlled means for positively engaging andlocking said nut, and controlling means for said driving mechanism,including mechanism connected with said movable part.

14. The combination with a railway switch, of actuating means for themovable switch parts comprising a threaded rod connected with saidmovable parts, a nut operatively engaged with said rod so as to move therod longitudinally by rotation thereon, a motor and connecting meansincluding a clutch between the motor and the nut.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name in the presence oftwo subscribing witnesses.

CHARLES O. ANDERSON.

Vitnesses WILSON A. AUSTIN, A. A. MGGLURE.

Copies 0! this patent may be obtained tor five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. O.

